Symptoms, remedies, treatments and care for Earache

Earache

There are many possible causes for an earache. Cavities, sinus infections, earwax, tonsillitis, and teeth grinding are all relatively common causes. The most common ear infection is acute otitis media (AOM), or a middle ear infection. It's characterized by swollen and infected portions of the middle ear. The pain associated with AOM is caused by fluid becoming trapped behind the eardrum. Symptoms may include a fever, pain inside the ear, slight hearing loss, and feeling sick in general. Not all earaches are caused by infections. If your ear hurts when you chew, it could be caused by something in your jaw. Swimming, bathing, allergies or even cleaning your ear with Q-tips can lead to discomfort, bacterial growth and infection in the ear. Earaches can also be triggered cold, wind, differences in presser, or by hair and other objects that get stuck in the ear.